Quote:
Originally Posted by bobman0330
Exactly. If the choice facing Mitch McConnell is: (a) don't steal a SC seat, or (b) steal a SC seat and listen to some ineffectual whining, of course he'll steal the seat. If the choice is either (a) or (b) steal the seat and face a procedural war until the balance is restored, the decision could be different.
There is probably some chance of deterrence on the narrow issue of monkeying with SCOTUS appointments, and probably some chance of not establishing a new (and worse) norm.
But I am dubious about whether the disciplining effect that is inherent in an iterated prisoner's dilemma is achievable across the spectrum of potential political issues.
For example, if Democrats took aggressive steps to disenfranchise a Republican voting bloc, I am virtually certain it would do nothing to deter the GOP's efforts to disenfranchise black voters.
And how many politicians who ignore and abuse political norms in the short run go on to do good things in the long run? Not many.